Disappointing Oath Ceremony

[ManCharsey 254]

Congratulations! Remember to vote in 2018 and in 2020.

[gypsyqueen 103]

Congratulations @Going through! Despite everything, I'm happy to hear that you are now a US Citizen. We all know what this means for you. Do not let them bring you down.

[cdneh 3,112]

Well, it's a pity they down all have the same standard really. It's a big day for people who wait for it for so long, and to not recognize that is terrible. At least though, you got through, and now don't have to deal with their nonsense ever again. A divorce is how I saw it, due to irreconcilable differences.

Congratulations!

[C-ma'am 684]

5 hours ago, Going through said:

Yep knew about the passport thing---just finished making a couple of photocopies of my certificate a few moments ago incase I need them in the event it gets lost in the mail.  Am waiting for a day off work next week before going in to apply at one of the central post offices in Manhattan that specifically has a separate passport "office" set up there.

 

I have the non-driver's State ID, and can't remember if I had to claim my LPR status on that or not when applying for it, so not sure if that has to be updated in any way.  The SS thing I'll do after getting the passport back.

Good thinking! I've been wondering about the DMV part of the equation but haven't really worried about it because my ID expires in 2026 or something like that. Same reason why I haven't gone to SSA yet. I will go with the passport, because I feel better about carrying that to show proof of citizenship than taking the certificate, for sure.

[Going through 5,668]

5 hours ago, gypsyqueen said:

Congratulations @Going through! Despite everything, I'm happy to hear that you are now a US Citizen. We all know what this means for you. Do not let them bring you down.

Thanks  

Even though I came from what some will term "an easy country", that doesn't mean it didn't have the same meaning to me or that I didn't struggle to get to this day, just like many others.  

[Going through 5,668]

5 hours ago, ManCharsey said:

Congratulations! Remember to vote in 2018 and in 2020.

The voter registration lady mentioned that due to the date, our registrations probably would not be "updated" in time for us to vote in the 2018 elections.

[ManCharsey 254]

6 minutes ago, Going through said:

The voter registration lady mentioned that due to the date, our registrations probably would not be "updated" in time for us to vote in the 2018 elections.

Probably depends on the state.

In Oregon, it takes on average 5 - 8 weeks to process. 

November 6, 2018 is still over a year away so I'm positive even with a worse delay, your voter register should be processed before April next year.

[IPv6Freely 64]

On 10/19/2017 at 12:58 PM, Going through said:

As we approached the desk in single file, the lady barked out "what's your number?!" without explaining exactly what number she was referring to (I learned quickly she meant the last 3 digits of the alien number) then whipped out the certificate and gave each person literally a two-second glance at it before barking at us "sign your name!"

Wait, if you've already turned in your GC by that point, how would you know what your alien number was??

[Going through 5,668]

1 hour ago, IPv6Freely said:

Wait, if you've already turned in your GC by that point, how would you know what your alien number was??

we still had the interview letters in our possession...those have the A# on them.

[AustinCanada 681]

On 10/19/2017 at 1:47 PM, Going through said:

I honestly don't know what to feel at this point.  I guess I just feel blah?  I thought I'd be on top of the world this afternoon.

Well, your citizenship application got processed super fast!   That was a top of the world experience, eh?  

[Thelucybelle 674]

I hear you! The lack of ceremony and general meh-mess of it all made me a little sad too but for me it was a means to an end so we could get the K1 visa process going rather than anything else or I might have happily stayed a green card holder for longer!!!

[Going through 5,668]

10 hours ago, Thelucybelle said:

I hear you! The lack of ceremony and general meh-mess of it all made me a little sad too but for me it was a means to an end so we could get the K1 visa process going rather than anything else or I might have happily stayed a green card holder for longer!!!

Best of luck with your K1 filing!

[Thelucybelle 674]

4 hours ago, Going through said:

Best of luck with your K1 filing!

 

Thank you ! It feel like it's taking forever right now -73 days in and at least another 83 to go based on visa journey member reports (sigh!)

[Going through 5,668]

On 10/22/2017 at 8:50 AM, Thelucybelle said:

 

Thank you ! It feel like it's taking forever right now -73 days in and at least another 83 to go based on visa journey member reports (sigh!)

Look at it this way---all good things come to those who wait, as they say  

[Doug&Alex 3]

WOW!!!  I loved your story and the way you articulated it! I am indeed sorry you had to deal with such amazing A-holes on your big day though. That totally sucks!!!  Ive been to NYC several times on business or on travel and each time I have left feeling totally disinterested in ever coming back. The people, by large, are exceptionally rude, curt, and just down-right unpleasant.  However I did have a rather long conversation with a beat cop at a coffee shop. We sat together for about 20 mins drinking coffee and talking mostly about guns (of all things). He was a gun nut, same as me. We discussed the laws in my State (at that time is was Florida), what sort of weapons I liked to collect, what my collection was, how often I get to shoot, etc...  It was a very pleasant time with the gentleman (I wish I could recall his name). We finished our coffee and I left to go to the airport to fly back overseas, and he back to his beat.  It was the only pleasant conversation that I remember having in all the times I've been to NYC that didn't happen in the airport with other travelers. 

 

Literally everyone else form TSA at the airport, to cab drivers, to bus drivers, to even the baristas at coffee shops have all been rather rude and impersonal...  Had I been you in that afternoon, I would have absolutely said something to those people and then to the judge afterwards. There's no excuse for that sort of behavior.. None, what-so-ever. So on behalf of all us Naturally born, I say CONGRATS and WELCOME to Citizenship!!!  It's been a long and hard road for you, I am sure (America does NOT make the process easy), and I can honestly say that I am looking forward to the day when my fiancee and soon to be step daughter also become Naturalized Citizens - roughly 4 years from now!!! HAHAHA 

 

I also would like to apologize on behalf of most "free" America on your Ceremony being so horribly dismissed as it was. That was supposed to be a very special and life changing event for you. Why they couldn't be bothered to at least attempt to make it a little special for everyone there is beyond my scope or ability to understand!  If you ever get the wild hair, and want to experience what America is truly about, please feel free to come visit the South or even the Mid-West.  New York is a giant cesspool of ugly and retarded in my opinion. 

Edited March 16, 2018 by Doug&Alex